Maycee Barber vs. Roxanne Modafferi in the works for UFC 246 on Jan. 18

In a matchup that will touch all generations of women’s MMA, unbeaten rising star Maycee Barber will meet veteran former title challenger Roxanne Modafferi.

The women’s flyweight bout will take place at UFC 246, according to two people familiar with the booking but not authorized to discuss it publicly. Both Barber (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and Modafferi (23-16 MMA, 2-4 UFC) have verbally agreed for the event slated for Jan. 18.

Barber, No. 13 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA women’s flyweight rankings, has put together three consecutive knockout victories since making her UFC debut in November 2018. “The Future” has set the goal of becoming the youngest champion in UFC history and, at 21, has less than two years to break Jon Jones’ record.

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She’ll get a big step up in competition against No. 7 Modafferi, who made her MMA debut in 2003 and will compete in her 40th professional bout at UFC 246. The 37-year-old has alternated wins and losses in five fights since returning to the UFC for a second stint in December 2017.

UFC 246 doesn’t have a location but will air on pay-per-view following prelims likely on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.